We woke up this morning to several emails and social media Google Alerts with headlines such as – “UK Education Minister Bans Cell Phones In Schools” and “Mobile Phones Are To Be Banned In UK Schools. One UK media outlet reported:
“Giving a speech at the Tory Party conference in Manchester, she (the education minister) warned: “One of the biggest issues facing our children and teachers is grappling with the impact is smartphones in our schools. The distraction, the disruption, the bullying. We know that teachers are struggling with their impact and need our support.” (1)
We were also alerted to several US-based organizations that support the banning of phones in schools who were posting messages, based on the UK online reporting headlines, stating that the UK will be directing schools to ban all cellphone use during school hours, and that the US and Canada should be doing the same thing.
Given the above noted, we decided to connect directly with a UK digital literacy colleague who works closely with schools is his country. He confirmed that the statement by the Education Minister was made, however, most schools in his country already possess school policy that does not allow students to use cellphones during school hours without the expressed permission of the teacher.
Some other interesting facts on the UK Education Minister’s Statement:
- This was an announcement made by the UK Education Minister at this week’s Conservative Party political conference, and was not a policy announcement or directive.
- It is being reported that the document will be a “guidance” document and not a specific enforceable tombstone policy. This guidance policy has not been published yet so no one knows what it says.
- The UK government press release on this issue stated that this guidance document will have no statutory authority. However, it also stated that if not followed they would “consider” legislating in the future to make the guidance statutory”. (2)
- The largest Teachers Union in the UK with over 300,000 members released a public statement bulletin on Monday October 2nd where they stated they “would not support a UK-wide ban on mobile phones in classrooms. (3)
- Contrary to what the Education Minister stated, the UK teacher’s union has stated that cell phones were not one of the biggest issues facing students. In fact, in a study they conducted with their members, only a small number of teachers reported that mobile phones caused any behavioural issues in the classroom. (4)
So, what will this guidance document say? No one really knows, but there are some who are trying to read the tea leaves based on a statement made by the UK Education Minister at a political conference. Personally, we have seen several occasions where public statements made by a politician, did not reflect the actual guidance document, law, bill, or act that was actually introduced and passed.
Of interest, we sent our colleague in the UK a link to an article that we wrote on this specific topic (5) Their reply, “It’s a fantastic article, I think you and I are on the same page” In fact, anecdotally, most teachers and schools administrators who have read this article agree with our position on this issue – we would encourage every parent, caregiver, educator, and school administrator to read the article.
As Andrew Howard, a secondary school computer science teacher in England stated on X (formerly known as Twitter) in response to the UK Minister’s comments, “I find your Victorian thinking incomprehensible. I teach mobile app development, how can I do that with no phones in class??? There are so many ways to harness smartphones for learning… but NO , let’s ban them… that’s going to work.”
The recent headlines regarding the potential ban on cell phones in UK schools have stirred up significant discussion and concern among parents, educators, and various organizations. However, it’s essential to take a closer look at the actual details before drawing conclusions. While the UK Education Minister’s announcement at a political conference may have garnered attention, it’s crucial to remember that this was not a policy directive but rather a statement of intent – the contents of which remain undisclosed.
The forthcoming guidance document remains unknown, and its content will shape the real impact on cellphone use in schools in the UK where many schools already have an in-depth policy in place. It’s also worth noting that the largest teachers union in the UK has expressed reservations about a widespread ban, and their research suggests that the issue of mobile phones in classrooms may not be as severe as portrayed by the Minister of Education.
In these times of easily circulated information, it’s vital for all stakeholders, including those promoting digital literacy, to prioritize fact-checking and responsible reporting before drawing conclusions or shaping public opinion. Ensuring accuracy and informed decision-making is paramount as we navigate discussions about technology in education in today’s ubiquitous world of technology, and the use of technology by youth both inside and outside the classroom.
We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the forthcoming UK document, regardless of its format or content once it becomes accessible to the public! As the old saying goes, “The devil will be in the details”.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
1/ https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/24237627/children-phones-school-education-mental-health/
3/ https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/article-listing/nasuwt-comment-on-proposed-mobile-phone-ban.html
5/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/some-thoughts-about-cellphones-in-classrooms/
